Rodeo Queen hails from New Town

That’s why, when she had an opening in her busy schedule as the 2016 Indian Rodeo Queen, she dropped in on the New Town Head Start to read a story and share some oranges with the children.

"That was a lot of fun," Kirk said. "I remember when there was wonder in everything. So I love to help the little ones especially. I also helped at the science day at the college. You see how much wonder they have. So it’s not a hard thing to do to go and read to the Head Start. They are a lot of fun. They always have a lot of good questions."

A Navajo born in Arizona, Kirk has lived in New Town since she was 10 and is a graduate of New Town High School. She will receive her bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College this month. She was named Miss Indian Rodeo at the 40th Annual Indian Finals Rodeo last November.

Kirk said her desire to win the title goes all the way back to when she was a little girl.

"It started when I was way younger," Kirk said. "My family has always been involved in rodeo. I grew up competing in junior rodeos around here. Then later on I got into suicide races and Indian relays. That’s what I did most of my teenage years."